Everyone’s first thought when it comes to root canals is ouch! It is considered bad news when you hear that you need a root canal. Peter Family & Cosmetic Dentistry works to change that narrative. Instead, we see it as a tooth-saving treatment. Wouldn’t you rather keep your natural, beautiful tooth over having to extract it and start over with additional tooth replacement options?
Our dental team is very experienced with root canals to the point where you should not feel any pain during the procedure and only mild discomfort afterwards. Our friendly staff will keep you informed every step of the way and make sure you feel comfortable with the service before moving forward.
What Does the Root Canal Procedure Consist of?
As mentioned before. this is a tooth saving treatment so you can have a fully restored and functioning tooth by the end of the service without sensitivity or pain. Root canals become necessary when cells in the pulp of your tooth become infected or inflamed—resulting in pain. This can often show itself as sensitivity to different temperatures and extreme pain while chewing.
The root canal treatment works by going inside the tooth to clean out the pulp, removing the infection, and filling it to seal the tooth and prevent future infections from growing. To keep you from feeling any pain, our dental office will provide you with a local anesthesia while our team uses precise dental equipment to clean your tooth, nerve, and root.
After the procedure, you will have a fully functioning tooth once again without any symptoms of an infected tooth. This means you can eat like normal and not feel any sensitivity!
How Do I Know if I Need a Root Canal?
Only a dentist and imaging will be able to fully determine if you need a root canal but there are numerous signs to look out for so you can be better educated on knowing when to schedule an appointment in between your routine visits.
Some of these symptoms include:
- Sharp pain.
- Facial swelling.
- Sensitivity to different temperatures.
- Random oral pain.
- Pressure or pain when biting.
- Persistent aching pain.
If you experience an abnormal pain in your gums or teeth, you should see the dentist to determine what that pain is from. Root canals are often caused from a chipped or cracked tooth that bacteria grows in to create tooth decay. Regular dental visits will help you catch the bacteria before it needs a root canal.
What Are the Costs Associated?
Root canals are a pretty common dental treatment, so most—if not all—of it should be covered by your insurance. Regardless if you have insurance or not, since this is a tooth saving service, it is worth it to get a root canal so you do not have to replace your tooth later on with much more expensive methods.
We have payment plans available so you can get the treatment you need without breaking the bank!
During the consultation you will get a realistic quote for the procedure so that you are fully informed before moving forward.
What is the Timeline of a Root Canal?
The speed of a root canal is completely dependent on the accessibility of the tooth and the level of infection. It will take 1–2 visits including your initial appointment or consultation to get the treatment completed. Once the service is over, we may prescribe you additional pain management medication depending on your discomfort to keep you feeling pain-free.
There is no follow-up appointment needed, but during each of your routine dental visits our team will inspect the root canal to make sure everything is how it should be. If you experience any additional pain in the area, do not hesitate to let us know!
Call Us To Schedule an Appointment Today!
If you are experiencing severe tooth pain, sensitivity, or even a sudden tooth discoloration, it is a good idea to get checked by our experienced dental team. Call our office to schedule a consultation to see how we can restore and improve your smile.